Gamesa says it plans to open an Offshore Wind Technology Center at the Strathclyde Business Park in Glasgow, Scotland.
Gamesa plans to hire approximately 40 people this summer for the center. Employment has the potential to reach 100 by the end of the year and 180 within three years of the center beginning operations, according to the company.
Gamesa has indicated it is also prepared to invest in manufacturing, logistics and operations and maintenance in Scotland, conditional upon the development of offshore wind projects in the area, securing of government support and availability of sites for prototypes.
If implemented successfully, Gamesa's offshore plan could represent an investment of about 50 million euros in Scotland and has the potential to create 300 direct jobs in the country, according to the company.
‘Our commitment is strong, and we are preparing to play a role in the offshore wind market,’ says Jorge Calvet, chairman and CEO of Gamesa. ‘Our Offshore Technology Center in Glasgow represents an important step in this strategy. Our offshore plans could generate significant local, skilled and sustainable jobs over the coming years.’
The company is working to launch two offshore platforms (G11X-5.0 MW and G14X-6/7 MW) and has also announced that the U.K. will be the center of its offshore wind business. It plans to invest over 150 million euros there by 2014.
